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‘Speed of Trust’ – by Stephen M. R. Covey – book review!

In his book, Stephen M. R. Covey asserts, “The ability to establish, extend, and restore trust with all stakeholders – customers, business partners, investors and coworkers – is the key leadership competency of the new, global economy.” Leaders are rediscovering trust as they see it with new eyes.

Looking beyond the common view of trust as a soft, social virtue, they’re learning to see it as a critical, highly relevant, performance multiplier.

Credibility boils down to two simple questions. First, do I trust myself? Second, am I someone who others can trust? Covey talks about Four “Cores” that are key to building credibility.

Integrity and Intent are character cores. Capabilities and Results are competency cores. All Four Cores are necessary for credibility. A person of integrity that does not produce results is not credible. If you are not credible, you are not trustworthy!

Trust is the deciding factor in all relationships – whether it is personal or business relationships. When there is congruence, there is no gap between what one intends to do and what one actually does.

Trust holds relationships together for a long period of time. These relationships could be of buyer-seller, boss-subordinate, teacher-student, parent-child, husband-wife, among siblings or among friends. Wherever human relationships are involved, trust is the principal ingredient to make them successful.

Earlier you establish the trust, lesser is the cost incurred. The cost could be by way of time, money and/ or efforts.